I plan to purchase a Foxbody in the near future but was wondering what would be the best engine to look out for in a Foxbody. I've heard I could just stick with the 302 but I've also seen 351C and some 351W out there and was curious which would be best for power for price. I'm not looking to get a 10 second car but anything around 400-500 RWHP would be suitable to my Needs.

Having built a number of 500+ hp 351's...that would be my second choice. My first choice would an LS3 or even an LS6 if you can afford it. They are lighter and pretty simple to make 400/500rwhp without breaking the bank. Making a 500rwhp 351 stroker will cost some serious dollars...especially if you want it to be reliable. I think 302 based motors are just too few cubic inches...the more cubic inches means more cubic torque...and that all adds up to more HP.
If you could find an LS3 out of Grand Sport Corvette it already has a dry sump which could allow you to lower the motor in the chassis or even slid it back just a little...just a thought.
Just so you're clear hear, 500rwhp in a relatively light Fox Body and some good suspension work will most definitely put you in the 10's.
LS3 wet sump, 405lbs
LS3 dry sump, 466lbs
351w is 575lbs
A 100 to 200lbs off the front end will make the car handle like a go cart...IMHO

Having built a number of 500+ hp 351's...that would be my second choice. My first choice would an LS3 or even an LS6 if you can afford it. They are lighter and pretty simple to make 400/500rwhp without breaking the bank. Making a 500rwhp 351 stroker will cost some serious dollars...especially if you want it to be reliable. I think 302 based motors are just too few cubic inches...the more cubic inches means more cubic torque...and that all adds up to more HP.

If you could find an LS3 out of Grand Sport Corvette it already has a dry sump which could allow you to lower the motor in the chassis or even slid it back just a little...just a thought.

Just so you're clear hear, 500rwhp in a relatively light Fox Body and some good suspension work will most definitely put you in the 10's.

LS3 wet sump, 405lbs

LS3 dry sump, 466lbs

351w is 575lbs

A 100 to 200lbs off the front end will make the car handle like a go cart...IMHO

Well thank for that info I'm really new into going about building a Stang my first 97 GT was bone stock. And my 95 5.0 just had Heads and Intake just A few bolt ones nothing major. I've heard all the time of everyone saying doing a LS Swap on Foxbodies but I feel like it's against my will to do so lol. I know those LS1s or even LS3 are out there going out for cheap. But what about doing a Coyote swap I've seen them from time to time on sale on Craigslist for about 2-3k used. Or what about the 4.6 out of a cobra and then slapping a SC or Turbo on it?

Well thank for that info I'm really new into going about building a Stang my first 97 GT was bone stock. And my 95 5.0 just had Heads and Intake just A few bolt ones nothing major. I've heard all the time of everyone saying doing a LS Swap on Foxbodies but I feel like it's against my will to do so lol. I know those LS1s or even LS3 are out there going out for cheap. But what about doing a Coyote swap I've seen them from time to time on sale on Craigslist for about 2-3k used. Or what about the 4.6 out of a cobra and then slapping a SC or Turbo on it?

Since I'm older than dirt and have been racing for almost that long I'll say that back in the past I thought the it was a sin to put a Chevy in a Ford...it's all about the most bang for your buck. Also, I'm a N/A guy, and believe in all motor.
You can take a turbo/N2O/Supercharger and make tons of HP and TQ...at what cost????
I had a 97 Cobra...pictured in my garage...and the last thing I did was put a Whipple Charger on it...sure it would run really hard...until it broke ring lands on 2 pistons. The smart thing would have been to replace the weak OE rods and pistons with forged and it wouldn't have happened. You can use a 4.6DOHC as long as you are planning to build the motor with good parts and not OEM.
Kind of like the same with the Coyote...there are a lot of people out there making over 600rwhp on basically stock motors and that's great...for me it would never work as I'd be constantly worring about the rods or pistons coming apart...If you've got the money buy a Ford Aluminator crate motor and not worry. Just my two cents worth.
My last 351w stroker...408...had a single 850 carb and make 650hp at 6800rpm and 544lbft at 5700rpm on the engine dyno...pushed my Maverick to 9.801 in the quarter...so????
The old saying is, "How fast do you want to go????, Just look in your pocketbook". If you want to build a 408 you should plan on $10k for parts and machining...then you need to find a late 1971 to 1974 351w block as they have 10lbs of extra material in the main web and can be fitting with 4 bolt mains...how do I know...I've built more than a couple of these.

Since I'm older than dirt and have been racing for almost that long I'll say that back in the past I thought the it was a sin to put a Chevy in a Ford...it's all about the most bang for your buck. Also, I'm a N/A guy, and believe in all motor.

You can take a turbo/N2O/Supercharger and make tons of HP and TQ...at what cost????

I had a 97 Cobra...pictured in my garage...and the last thing I did was put a Whipple Charger on it...sure it would run really hard...until it broke ring lands on 2 pistons. The smart thing would have been to replace the weak OE rods and pistons with forged and it wouldn't have happened. You can use a 4.6DOHC as long as you are planning to build the motor with good parts and not OEM.

Kind of like the same with the Coyote...there are a lot of people out there making over 600rwhp on basically stock motors and that's great...for me it would never work as I'd be constantly worring about the rods or pistons coming apart...If you've got the money buy a Ford Aluminator crate motor and not worry. Just my two cents worth.

My last 351w stroker...408...had a single 850 carb and make 650hp at 6800rpm and 544lbft at 5700rpm on the engine dyno...pushed my Maverick to 9.801 in the quarter...so????

The old saying is, "How fast do you want to go????, Just look in your pocketbook". If you want to build a 408 you should plan on $10k for parts and machining...then you need to find a late 1971 to 1974 351w block as they have 10lbs of extra material in the main web and can be fitting with 4 bolt mains...how do I know...I've built more than a couple of these.

What SmurfStang said is the first thing you should do. If you don't have to budget to do what you want then you need to look at other alternatives.
I have never seen a new stock Ford Coyote crate motor for less than $6k, and the Aluminator is around $9k. Yes, there will be a lot of other stuff before the Coyote will run, electronics and other stuff will eat up another $2k.
As I said earlier...to build a real 500rwhp motor will easily take $10k. Even if you build a motor and add a blower/turbo you will need to spend some money making sure it doesn't come apart the first time you put your foot on the floor.
I have a friend who goes to salvage yards and buys LS motors, puts a turbo on it and runs it till it blows up...the motors usually cost him anywhere from $500 to $1000...You could get a lot of experience pulling motors...just a thought.
Remember, how much HP you want depends on how many green backs you are willing to spend.